Growing Green Awards

Celebrating America’s most influential leaders in the sustainable food movement

From 2009 to 2014, the NRDC Growing Green Awards recognized the producers, entrepreneurs, activists, and bold thinkers who were changing the landscape of the American food industry. Each year, award recipients were selected from hundreds of nominees by an independent panel of sustainable food and agriculture experts—such as author Michael Pollan and thought leader Marion Nestle.

2014 Winners

Sustainable Livestock Producer

Will Harris, White Oak Pastures, Bluffton, Georgia

Pollinator Protector

Orley “Chip” Taylor, Monarch Watch, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Food and Farm Educator

John Reganold, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

2013 Winners

Food Producer

Russ Kremer, Heritage Acres, Frankenstein, Missouri

Business Leader

Larry Jacobs, Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, Pescadero, California

Food Justice Leader

Tezozomoc, South Central Farmers Health and Education Fund, Buttonwillow, California

Young Food Leader

Brianna Almaguer Sandoval, Healthy Corner Store Initiative, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2012 Winners

Food Producer

Gabe Brown, Brown’s Ranch, Bismarck, North Dakota

Business Leader

George Siemon, Organic Valley, La Farge, Wisconisin

Food Justice Leader

Lucas Benitez and Greg Asbed, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Immokalee, Florida

Young Food Leader

Andrea Northup, D.C. Farm to School Network, Washington, D.C.

2011 Winners

Food Producer

Jim Cochran, Swanton Berry Farm, Davenport, California

Business Leader

Pam Marrone, Marrone Bio Innovations, Davis, California

Knowledge Leader

Ann Cooper, Food Family Farming Foundation (now the Chef Ann Foundation), Boulder, Colorado

Young Food Leader

Molly Rockamann, EarthDance, Ferguson, Missouri

2010 Winners

Food Producer

Russ Lester, Dixon Ridge Farms, Winters, California

Business Leader

Karl Kupers, Shepherd’s Grain, Harrington, Washington

Thought Leader

Fred Kirschenmann, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, New York

Water Steward

Mike Benziger, Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen, California

2009 Winners

Food Producer

Will Allen, Growing Power, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Business Leader

Fedele Bauccio, Bon Appétit Management Co., Palo Alto, California

Thought Leader

James Harvie, Institute for a Sustainable Future, Duluth, Minnesota


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